Man Charged in Stealing from Charity Donations and Tip Jars

FRONT ROYAL, Va. - Police have arrested a man after he was caught stealing containers carrying charity donations from area gas stations in Front Royal.

Officers with the Front Royal Police Department charged William "Roy" Jeffries, 23, with four counts of larceny. He was taken into custody late Wednesday night after police identified him from surveillance footage.

According to police, the first theft happened on Sunday, Jan. 26 by employees of Handy Mart on 202 S. Commerce Avenue. The employee noticed The Children's Miracle Network collection box was missing from the counter. After reviewing video, a man was observed taking the container and leaving the store.

The second theft occurred on Monday, Jan. 27 at the Mobil Gas Station on 63 W 14th Street. Police say a man walked into the store, and distracted the clerk behind the counter. They say the man picked up The House of Hope donation jar and walked out the door with the donations.

On Wednesday, Jan. 29 Anthony's Pizza owner, Frank Amari, called police to report their tip jar had been taken the night before. Amari told officers that two men and a woman came into the restaurant Tuesday night to eat dinner, and on their way out one of the men grabbed the tip jar and walked out the door.

Also on Wednesday, the 7-Eleven on 711 S. Royal Avenue reported their Relay For Life donation container had been stolen. A man was observed removing the donation container from the counter and then walking out the door.

Police say Jeffries is being held at the Warren County Jail on a $1,500 secured bond. He's due in court on March 4, 2014.

Front Royal police are urging anyone with further information about these cases to call Sgt. Jason Winner (540)-635-2111.

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